 Ding, ding, ding, ding - round two of the Super
14, come out fighting please...
The second week of February and the second week of Super rugby. Not
so super last week, but that is not because of the early start, if you look back
over the seasons, early rounds are usually pretty piss poor. With the odd
exception of course, and this case being the Blues and Crusaders game in
Auckland.
But not here to talk about last weeks games, but this weeks clashes, and
try to predict the damn things, which is harder than captain hook trying to pick
his nose at this early stage of the season. Also pretty hard later in the
season for this soldier, but I, for a change, digress!
The predictions, great, everyone's favourite flops first up...
CHIEFS vs HURRICANES @ Hamilton
The bloody Chiefs. They were built up so much in the pre season,
great things were expected from them following on from Waikato's NPC win.
But for a change, they delivered a damp squib. Sooo, fans will now be
expecting then to get their arses handed to them on a platter by the Hurricanes.
But the Hurricanes were poop last week too, losing to the Reds of all teams, and
being handed a hiding up front in the process.
There I think is the key phrase - up front. The Chiefs were handed
the blueprint on how to beat the Hurricanes last week by the Reds, and have
selected their NPC winning tight five to implement it - the same tight five that
did the business against Wellington in that final last season. The back
division looks more balanced too, certainly more potent with Anesi back at
fullback and Kinikinilau on the wing, along with the rocket powered
Lelia Masaga on the wings.
Just need Donald to not play like a leper this week.
The Hurricanes backline, to me, always looks better when you have Umaga in
12 or 13, and Nonu not in 12 or 13. Both these have happened thanks to
Conrad Smith being injured. Umaga to 13, and Nonu to the wing, where his
roving commission sees him at his most dangerous. The forward pack though,
needs to pull finger and not play like a bunch of girls this week.
Points Spread: Chiefs -12 (am I a sucker or what).
STORMERS vs WESTERN FORCE @ Cape Town
The Stormers got spanked last week by the Cheetahs, and the Force were
tipped by the Hurricanes in the heat at Perth. Two teams that look likely
to be battling it out for the minor minor placings this season, so picking a
winner here is not the easiest of jobs. No coins this week, I'll take the
home team advantage into account and go with the Stormers, although the Force
could go close I feel.
Points Spread: Stormers -12.
SHARKS vs WARATAHS @ Durban
Two round one winners clashing here, and both away wins. However,
with the Sharks at home, and the Waratahs away for the second week running in
the republic, I think this'll tip the odds in favour of the toothy surfer boys
from Durbam. Mind you, I think this Waratahs outfit, after two years of
going bloody close, could be one of the teams to watch come the time cups are
being handed out in May.
Points Spread: Sharks -12
CRUSADERS vs REDS @ Christchurch
The Reds forwards picked and went for 80 minutes last week against the
Hurricanes, and handed them a deserved beating. I don't think these
limited tactics will work two weeks in a row, and the Crusaders forwards, minus
their All Blacks or not, are a different proposition than the Hurricanes eight,
minus their All Blacks.
The Crusaders backline looks a damn sight better than last weeks too -
Ward gone from fullback, and players all moving out a space from second five,
and the stepping machine Rua Tipoki slotting into the 12 jersey. Laulala
goes to 13, Ralph to 14 (or 11), and Hamilton to 15. A much better looking
back division. The forward pack that battle it out against the Blues
remains unchanged, meaning Ben Franks remains ahead of the highly rated
Crockett.
Last weeks hit out against the Blues will have done no end of good for the
new boys in the red 'n' black, and expect them to go to town this week.
Points Spread: Crusaders 13+
BRUMBIES vs BLUES @ Canberra
This will be an early indication for both teams if they are genuine
contenders, and not 'a bridge to far' for the long in the tooth Brumbies, or a
'bridge too soon' for the eternally rebuilding Blues. Good wins from both
teams last weekend, so should be a great clash. Brumbies forwards really
excelled last week, and will need to do so again against the pretty handy Blues
outfit. If they can front up again, a comfortable home win for the
Brumbies on the cards. Blues on the other hand need to smash the stuffing
out of the Brumbies, and unleash the backs from there. Certainly a more potent
looking back division than the home boys have, but a back division with Mortlock,
Larkham and Gregan should never be overlooked!
Points Spread: Brumbies 13+
BULLS vs CHEETAHS @ Pretoria
Bulls lost last week, Cheetahs won. I picking a reverse in
fortunes. Why, no idea, home ground advantage maybe??
Points Spread: Bulls -12
LIONS vs HIGHLANDERS @ johannesburg
Lions lost at home last week to the Waratahs, who are a pretty bloody good
side. Better than the Highlanders at any rate. So I'm picking that
they will bar up this time, and pip the Highlanders. Not that I have much
luck tipping with the Highlanders, as I thought the Force would do the business
on them last week, but they didn't. Jeez, when you look at that
Highlanders team you wonder how they would even win an NPC match, let alone a
Super game. The term 'no names' was invented for this outfit, especially
the backline - 15. Craig Clare, 14. Lucky Mulipola, 13. Matthew Saunders, 12.
Jason Kawau, 11. Greg Zampach, 10. Callum Bruce - through to All Black Cowan at
halfback. The forwards from until the front row are a pretty handy outfit
(8. Craig Newby, 7. Josh Blackie (capt), 6. Hoani MacDonald, 5. James Ryan, 4.
Felipo Levi), but a front row of out of position Dermody, MacDonald and King
leaves nobody quaking in their boots.
Anyway, watch them prove me wrong as I tip against them again...
Points Spread: Lions 13+
So there you go folks, two wins and three losses for Kiwi sides this
weekend...
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